Dreaming Whilst Black, the hit web series has been commissioned for a full six-part series for BBC Three and iPlayer, following the critically acclaimed, “unflinchingly observed” (The Sunday Times), award-winning pilot that aired last year. The news is accompanied with the creative collaboration of global entertainment company A24 (Euphoria, Everything Everywhere All At Once), who will co-produce and distribute the series internationally.
The pilot, adapted from the hugely popular web series co-written by Adjani Salmon and Ali Hughes, garnered a deluge of critical acclaim and a string of award wins and nominations for the creator, star and co-writer Salmon, including winning the 2022 BAFTA Craft Award for Emerging Talent: Fiction, The Royal Television Society's 2022 Breakthrough Award, Screen International Star of Tomorrow and the Soho House 59% Gen Now Award.
The new six part series will be co-produced by BAFTA and Emmy nominated Big Deal Films (Coconut, Holier Than Thou, Sparklers), one of the UK's leading diverse-led scripted and unscripted production companies.
Loosely inspired by real life events, Dreaming Whilst Black follows aspiring filmmaker Kwabena (Adjani Salmon) in and out of reality as he tries to make it in “Babylon.” The problem is he’s broke, Black and born into a Jamaican family who wishes he was an accountant.
Co-creator, writer and star of Dreaming Whilst Black Adjani Salmon, says: “When we made the web series we wanted to be “di bes ting pon di intanet.” With all the support we now have, we want to make “di bes ting pon BBC TV,” pun intended.”
Tanya Qureshi, Head of Comedy at the BBC says: “We are sure it won’t come as a surprise that BBC Comedy wanted to take this wonderful project to series. Its success and recognition speaks for itself. It is a testament to the work that Big Deal Films and co-writers Adjani and Ali have done, that it has attracted such a strong partner in A24. We can’t wait to bring the series to UK audiences later next year.”
Co-Executive Producer Dhanny Joshi, Big Deal Films says: “We are thrilled for the opportunity to continue telling Kwabena’s story in creative collaboration with A24, BBC Comedy and the rest of our incredible cast, writers and crew. The response we’ve received from audiences who continue to discover the Dreaming Whilst Black pilot is one of the most deeply rewarding experiences we’ve shared. To hear viewers express how the show made them “feel seen” has been inspirational, and we're so grateful to the team at BBC Comedy and A24 for making the series a reality.”
Dreaming Whilst Black was commissioned by Jon Petrie, Director of Comedy Commissioning at the BBC and Fiona Campbell, Controller BBC Three. The Executive Producers are Dhanny Joshi, Thomas Stogdon and Adjani Salmon and the series will be directed by Jermain Julien and Joelle Mae David and produced by Nicola Gregory. The Commissioning Editor for the BBC is Tanya Qureshi.
The original web series was co-written by Salmon and Ali Hughes and was created by Adjani Salmon, Max Evans, Laura de Sousa Seixas and Natasha Jatania of 4 Quarters Films.
Strategic advice and on-going support was provided by Bal Samra of Bizet Media. CAA represent Big Deal Films and brokered the partnership with A24.
Dreaming Whilst Black will be broadcast on BBC Three and iPlayer in 2023 and further casting details will be announced in due course.
